Question

First, he needs to run to the store. To get to the store from his apartment, he can walk 1.2 miles North and 0.5 miles East along the sidewalks. Or, he can cut through the city to get from his apartment to the store along a single straight line. Walking on the sidewalks, Henry walks 6 miles/hour. Cutting through the city, Henry can only walk 3.5 miles/hour.

Answer 1

If Henry walks along the sidewalks, he will walk 1.7 miles in total. It will take him 17 minutes to reach the store and another 17 minutes to come back.

If Henry cuts through the city, he will walk √(1.2² + 0.5²) = 1.3 miles in total. It will take him 22.3 minutes to reach the store and another 22.3 minutes to come back.

Even though Henry will need to walk a longer distance if he walks along the sidewalks, he will be able to reach the store and back back in a shorter time than if he cuts through the city.